OIST Research Internship Program – Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology

The OIST Research Internship Program is a fully funded, highly competitive research internship hosted by the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) in Japan. It provides undergraduate and master’s students with hands-on experience in cutting-edge scientific research, working directly with world-class faculty in an international and interdisciplinary environment.

What’s Offered

• A fully funded research internship (3–6 months) in Okinawa, Japan
• Daily stipend of approximately 2,400 JPY per working day
• Round-trip flight tickets (one direct air ticket provided)
• Free furnished accommodation (on or off campus)
• Visa support and administrative assistance
• Access to state-of-the-art laboratories and research facilities
• Opportunity to work under top international scientists and research teams
• Exposure to a diverse, global academic community (70+ nationalities)

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to international students worldwide
• Must be:
  • In the final two years of a bachelor’s degree, or
  • Enrolled in a master’s program, or
  • A recent graduate (Bachelor’s or Master’s)
• Academic background must align with chosen research field
• Must obtain approval from current institution (if enrolled)
• Strong interest in research and pursuing a future PhD
• PhD students are not eligible

Program Structure

• Duration: 3 to 6 months within selected intake period
• Interns are placed in a research unit/laboratory based on their interests and background
• Work on real research projects under faculty supervision
• Fields include:
  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Biology & Neuroscience
  • Environmental & Marine Sciences
  • Mathematics & Computational Sciences
• Highly interdisciplinary environment encouraging cross-field collaboration
• Can serve as a pathway into OIST’s PhD program

Focus Area

• STEM Fields
• Interdisciplinary Scientific Research
• Innovation and Advanced Technology

Deadline

• April 15, 2026 (23:59 JST) for Fall 2026 intake
• October 15, 2026 (23:59 JST) for Spring 2027 intake